RIO FERDINAND faces the prospect of a lengthy ban after the Football Association charged him last night with the serious offence of "failure or refusal to take a drugs test".

RIO FERDINAND faces the prospect of a lengthy ban after the Football Association charged him last night with the serious offence of "failure or refusal to take a drugs test".

Disciplinary action had been expected against the Manchester United defender but the wording of the charge to include "refusal" shows the FA believe there was a deliberate element to Ferdinand missing the test.

A more minor misconduct charge of "failure to submit to drug testing" could have been brought against him but the FA believe they have sufficient evidence to prove the 24-year-old deliberately avoided the test.

Ferdinand has requested a personal hearing and will be represented by a team from United's experience lawyers James Chapman.

If he is unable to convince the FA disciplinary panel he simply forgot the team from UK Sport had asked to test him then a ban is virtually certain. The maximum punishment is a two-year ban but a suspension of around three months would be more likely.

The FA released a statement stating the chapter and verse of the regulations under which Ferdinand was being charged: "A breach of FA Rule E26, with reference to Regulation 1(c) of the FA Doping Control Regulations."

Regulation 1(c) refers to "the failure or refusal by a player to submit to drug testing as required by a competent official". It also means if Ferdinand's excuse of forgetfulness is accepted he can still be punished - but in those circumstances he could hope to avoid a lengthy ban.

Manchester United released a statement saying, "Manchester United notes the decision by the Football Association today to charge Rio Ferdinand with misconduct for failure to attend a drugs test.

"The player will be responding to the charge and seeking a personal hearing in accordance with FA procedures."

English football's most expensive player missed the test at United's Carrington training ground on September 23, and as a consequence was omitted from England's squad that played against Turkey.

Since then, the FA have been investigating the case and even asked for the player's mobile phone records to judge if he had been, as he claimed, out of contact in the two hours after leaving the training ground.

It has become apparent his mobile phone was switched on during the afternoon of September 23 and that raises questions as to why he did not respond to messages from United sooner telling him he had missed the test.

Ferdinand will hope the records support his claims he did contact the FA once he realised he had forgotten the appointment.

According to reports, Ferdinand finally spoke to United's club doctor Mike Stone more than an hour and a half after leaving the training ground and immediately rang the FA.

Before that he had sent a text to Patrick O'Reilly of the Highfield Medical Association in Stockport, who had been treating him for a kidney infection.

The eyes of the football world are watching the outcome of this case with keen interest, not least the world governing body FIFA.

FIFA's sports medical committee discussed the case on Tuesday and the organisation released a statement yesterday saying, "The committee noted the latest developments in the case of the English international player, Rio Ferdinand.

"The committee pointed out that the English association was dealing with the matter and that FIFA would await the results of the investigation and the decision passed by the relevant disciplinary bodies."

Now United have confirmed Ferdinand will request a personal hearing, the FA can immediately begin preparations to find a suitable date.

The earliest available window would appear to be between November 10 and November 19 when there are international matches, including England's friendly against Denmark which would not involve Ferdinand.

If it is not between those dates, then a time in December, following the final Champions League group matches would be the next likely opportunity.